Jerry Summers
If you come through the Brainerd Tunnel in a western direction and take the left lane at the split on to Bailey Avenue you come into the middle of the historic and revitalized community of Highland Park, or as it is sometimes known as the “Patched Pothole Parkway” by motorists who regularly travel on that thoroughfare. Highland Park was once a small city of its own but now is a neighborhood in the City of Chattanooga since 1929. Its boundaries are Willow and Holtzclaw streets on the east and west and McCallie and Main streets on the north and south.
What was predominately an all-white neighborhood it is now a mixture of Caucasians, Afro-Americans and Hispanics. The area was once a popular middle class suburb that provided transportation into the City of Chattanooga by a variety of trolley lines. Prices during the 40s and 50s for a residence averaged from $15,000 to $50,000 but today the median real estate price is over $130,000 with some asking prices topping out at $415,000. Highland Park Baptist Church was founded in 1942 and Tennessee Temple University was formed in 1946 under the leadership of Dr.
Lee Roberson, and they were the main anchors in the Highland Park Community until recent transitions took place.
In 2012 the Highland Park Baptist Church relocated to Harrison, Tennessee and changed its name to Church of the Highlands. In 2015 it was decided that Tennessee Temple University would find a new home and become a part of Piedmont International University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fortunately the buildings at both facilities were purchased by Redemption Point Church, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Chattanooga Preparatory School. Under the leadership of Ted Alling and his wife, Kelly Alling, the school was funded as an all-boys charter school that serves at risk and under-served boys in the community.
Construction of new housing continues at a fast pace and vacant lots are being purchased to support development and revitalization of the neighborhoods. The Highland Park Neighborhood Association is active and proudly promotes the community. It owns Shaw Park which is located on South Highland Park Avenue and Kirby Avenue. It was named after the late Chattanooga Police Officer Charles Shaw who played an active role in promoting and touting the neighborhood and developing the park. It is equipped with a picnic and playground area provided by a donation by Play Core Corporation, the largest playground equipment manufacturer in America.
The City of Chattanooga owns a green space park located on Union Avenue between South Holly and South Hickory called Tatum Park. A third recreational area, Highland Park Commons, is a privately owned public park on Union Avenue that provides pick up soccer seven days a week from 6-10 p.m. at a reasonable cost. The facility also hosts soccer tournaments, community events, concerts and birthday parties, etc. with particular emphasis on service to the Hispanic part of the community.
The Mai Bell Apartments at 1728 Briley Avenue is a modern three story privately developed complex two miles from downtown Chattanooga. The Neighborhood Scout search engine at www.neighborhoodscout.com/tn/chattanooga/highlandpark contains a wealth of information about Highland Park and describes many Notable and Unique Neighborhood Characteristics that describe in great detail important facts about the People, Occupations, Diversity, Languages, etc. about the neighborhood as it exists in 2020.
A desirable neighborhood that could benefit from Bailey Avenue being paved to Central Avenue with no bike lanes!
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Jerry Summers
(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
Queen Anne bungalow in Highland Park